p. 237 | Reports from the Field

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Aug 2, 1877

Reports from the Field.

(Condensed from Review and Herald.)

Massachusetts.

NEWBURYPORT.—Elder Canright reports as follows: “The last week has been one of much encouragement here. We have now been here nearly three weeks. The weather having become good, our audience has increased so that we now usually have from one hundred and fifty to two hundred out, and sometimes four hundred. Saturday evening we had a temperance meeting in the tent, conducted by the citizens of the place. This gave us a chance to take our position on that question. Yesterday we had our first Sabbath meeting. About twenty brethren and sisters came in from Ipswich, and others came from the city, making about seventy-five. Twenty-six testimonies were borne, and we had a good meeting. By a rising vote, nearly all present declared that they believed the seventh day to be the Sabbath. Then eight rose up, promising to observe that day. This we regard as a good beginning. There are many more for whom we have the strongest hopes.”

New York.

PULASKI.—Some more have decided to observe the Sabbath, and the feeling is deeper than at any previous time. The last Sabbath meeting held was the best; and Sunday evening the tent was full, and large numbers sat in their carriages.

GLENSDALE.—Meetings have now been held seven weeks in this place. Thirteen have pledged their word in public to keep the Sabbath. Most of them are heads of families. Many persons are under conviction, and some new ones arise for prayer every week. In connection with these meetings there has been quite a temperance revival. About fifty have signed the pledge.

Pennsylvania.

RAYMOND.—The interest was reported, July 16, to be greater than at any previous time since the meetings commenced in this place. The quarterly meeting was held in the tent, and well attended. One hundred and fifty brethren and friends were present at the nine A. M. Sabbath meeting. In the social meeting seventy-five stirring testimonies were given in about an hour. In the afternoon an appeal was made for those who wanted to seek the Lord to come forward. Thirty-two persons, manifesting deep feeling, responded. And the Spirit of God was felt in a wonderful manner throughout the entire congregation. But few of these persons who came forward had ever made a profession of religion. Twenty of the number rose for baptism. Brethren Whitney and Brown further report:—

“Sunday morning load after load came in, till our sixty foot tent was literally filled, there being six hundred or more present. We had appointed to speak on baptism; but the crowd was such that we decided to present something more directly connected with our present work, and so spoke for more than an hour on the sealing work. During intermission the congregation, en masse, remained in the tent; and at two P. M. listened attentively for an hour on the change of the Sabbath. We have never witnessed better attention. The congregation was then dismissed, and candidates for baptism were examined. As we had not been able to present this subject, we recommended to several that their cases be postponed for one week that they might be better prepared to go forward in this duty. Fifteen persons united with the church. Repairing to the place of baptism, we found our entire congregations had preceded us. More than forty teams—mostly double—and over six hundred persons were in waiting. Perfect order prevailed, and we enjoyed a most beautiful scene. Fourteen were baptized. There will probably be eight or ten more to be baptized next Sunday. There are others deeply interested whom we hope to reach. We think the remarkably large attendance of yesterday,

was the result, in a great measure, of the reports of the meetings in the local papers.

Indiana.

THORNTON.—At the last Sabbath meeting held in this place several more took a decided stand to obey the truth. Twenty signed a covenant to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Many have purchased books, and eleven trial subscribers have been received for our periodicals.

Michigan.

PORT HURON.—The meetings in the tent at this place are increasing in interest. A goodly number have decided to obey the word, two have been baptized, and others will soon go forward in this ordinance. Brethren Lamson and Burnham report: “The average attendance during the past week has been about two hundred. There is still a great work to be done, as a large portion of the city has not been canvassed. In about two weeks we shall change our location to another part of the city. We were invited on Sunday afternoon to speak to the ‘Reform Club’ of the city. A large and popular audience assembled, including the mayor and principal citizens of the place. Had excellent freedom, and our work became better known. In the evening, our congregation was greatly increased.”

LAKEVIEW.—Several discourses have been given upon the Sabbath question. The interest continues, and a goodly number have commenced to keep the Sabbath. Many others are almost decided to obey, and the whole community is stirred upon this question.

Wisconsin.

LANCASTER.—Elder Sanborn has been in this place two weeks. Some are deeply interested, and it is hoped they will obey the truth. There has been some opposition to the doctrines advocated. One clergyman, whose church is across the street from the tent, preached very quietly Sunday evening on the Sabbath question. Said he, “There is no proof for Sunday-keeping; but the absence of proof that the apostles kept the seventh day is sufficient reason why we should keep the first day.”

Iowa.

ELK HORN.—Elder Hanson writes: “Sabbath, July 16, was a good day for our Danish church in this place. God’s Spirit was in our midst and worked on every heart present. We called upon sinners to give their hearts to God, and to our joy ten responded who had never made a profession before. The next Sabbath, six of these were examined for baptism, and found worthy to unite with the church.”

CHEROKEE.—Eight or ten were keeping the Sabbath in this place when Brethren Hart and Kilgore commenced labor here. Now there are twenty, eighteen of whom signed the covenant. As the tent has been removed, the First-day Adventists kindly grant the use of their house for the next Sabbath meeting. One of their ministers and three members have accepted the Sabbath and others are aroused to this subject and may yet obey.

Canada.

FRELFORD.—Elder A. C. Bourdeau writes:—

“We gave sixteen lectures in this place and held some social meetings before we introduced the Sabbath question. Last Sunday morning Brother Owen gave the ‘Sabbath Poem’ from memory, before a large audience. In the afternoon we spoke on the importance of obeying, and then requested those who believe that the seventh day is the Sabbath which should be now kept to arise, and nearly one-half of the congregation arose. As a preacher went out, he said, ‘You can find anything in the Bible.’ We said, ‘No; the first-day Sabbath is not there.’ Souls are becoming converted to the truth, and persons who had never tried to serve the Lord take a part in our meeting.”

Texas.

CLEBURNE.—Elder R. M. Kilgore reports from this place as follows:—

“Though it is very hot here during the day, the nights are pleasant. Our interest is good, and has so increased that we have had to increase the size of our tent and the seating capacity. I am now in the midst of the Sabbath question. The people listen attentively and are purchasing some books. They are kind and respectful and remember our temporal wants.

“Yesterday, just as the people were assembling for the 3 P. M. meeting, a sudden gale came up from the south, and before we let the tent down, four section ropes were torn from the canvas their entire length, making a complete wreck of our new tent. A very heavy rain followed the gale, soaking everything. But the weather clearing off, we removed the wreck, prepared the seats, and spoke at night to a large audience, with the broad canopy of heaven for a covering. I never had better liberty in speaking, and the people never listened more attentively than on that occasion. We go to work to-day to repair the tent as best we can, and start again Wednesday evening.”